Going on a safari in Moremi Game Reserve

Ok, so you are ready to pack your bags and go on a safari. As you make the trip of a lifetime, you obviously don’t want to be distracted by packing inconveniences or other irrelevant obstacles.

Therefore, we will try to answer all the questions you might have before you go and please do not hesitate to contact us for further information. What you have to pack also depends on how you are traveling and where you are going. If you are flying in for a short stay, you don’t need to pack too much. Do note that smaller chartered planes allow 10 to 12 kg for carry-on, packed in a soft bag.

Here some general guidelines.

Clothing for a Moremi safari

No worries, you don’t need a completely new wardrobe when you go on a safari. Leave your brightly coloured outfits at home, and pack light.

Bring some light fabrics and loose-fit clothing that dries quickly, in tranquil colours. Laundry is offered daily in most camps, so don’t pack too much.

Grab a warm sweater (or jacket) and scarf. Temperatures plummet in mornings and evenings; warm clothes during a game drive are a necessity. No worries if you are still shivering, camps also provide ‘bush babies’ (and you will soon find out what those are).

Shorts for men and women are fine in the bush, but longer trousers are socially acceptable in rural villages.

It is accepted to dress casually in safari camps.

A squashable hat and sunglasses with good UV protection are essential.

Leave all your camouflage of military themed clothes at home: in Africa this is not considered appropriate clothing and the police might question you.

Wear lightweight footwear with ankle support if possible. Make sure the shoes feel comfortable and that you can walk on them for a while.

Bring a few pair of thin socks, rather than one pair of thick socks in your shoes. Several layers of thin socks is often more comfortable.

Useful tools in Moremi Game Reserve

If you say safari, you say handy tools. So what should you bring? Here are a few items we always find useful.

Your own binoculars (to view animals from your private deck at any time and anywhere else).

Your camera (of course!).

A cheap waterproof watch (leave expensive jewelry at home).

Sunblock and lipsalve

A small pocket torch.

Insect repellent.

Camps often provide water bottles, but you can bring one yourself, too.

What does a typical Moremi safari day look like?

If this is your first safari trip (we feel your excitement!) you might be curious about what your safari days will look like. Although this can vary slightly from camp to camp, there is generally a day-plan most lodges follow, simply because the rhythm of wildlife and weather conditions are changeable. And don’t worry if you are not much of a morning person; there is plenty of time for napping later in the day. We can also guarantee that the minute you are awakened by the sound of birds and hippos calling, you will become an early bird yourself.

A typical day in the Moremi Game Reserve:

05.30 hours: wake up call by a soft knock and animal sounds, 06.30 hours: after fresh coffee or hot tea and a morning snack, start of the morning safari activity (in the Moremi this is typically a game drive or boat trip) 09.30 hours: extensive breakfast.

10.00 hours - 15.00 hours: time to relax and have lunch.

15.00 hours: second game activity (again: either a drive, mokoro trip, motorized boat trip or fishing): 19.00 hours: back in the lodge for dinner; 21.00 hours: coffee, drinks, leisure time: 22.00 hours: time to rest your head full of memories. Sleep well!

Moremi bush cuisine & drinks

Yes, the Moremi is in the middle of the Delta, but that doesn’t mean there is a lack of healthy, gourmet food. Let your imaginations run wild for a while as you picture the most beautiful morning sky and a breakfast table filled with just-out-of-the-oven bread, fresh fruit and juices. Or how about homemade cakes and pastries during an afternoon high tea? And just after your afternoon safari activity, you can choose a topping for your classic, Italian pizza for dinner, accompanied by richly flowing African wines, healthy salads and freshly made ice cream for dessert. In short: you will be pampered when it comes to food. All meals, as well as coffee and tea and (often) local brand drinks, are included in the price. Some lodges offer fishing and, if not restricted to catch and release, you can actually prepare your own fresh fish, straight from the clear Delta waters to your plate.

Without giving away all the surprises, meals are often offered at different locations (ever had a meal on a river bank with a gorgeous sunset in the background?). The traditional boma-dinner, an open area with a big fire in the middle, is a must (if weather conditions permit) and comes with traditional singing and dancing performances. And sometimes, unforgettable moments are in simple things: maybe it is that freshly brewed morning coffee on your private deck, while watching an elephant family taking a sunrise bath.

If you have any dietary requirements, please inform us accordingly; the chefs are more than happy to oblige. Arriving late? Please call the lodge ahead, so they can prepare a late night dinner for you.

Snap! - Photography in Moremi Game Reserve

A yawning hippo, right in front of your lens. Focus… and… snap! The perfect safari shot. We don’t need to explain that the Moremi Game Reserve is a true paradise for nature photographers. Therefor, we would like to provide you with some of our tips.

The best results are achieved by using a (digital) SLR camera with one or more lenses. For photography of wild animals a lens with a minimum range of 200 mm is crucial, preferably a 300 mm lens. For landscape photography, a wide-angle lens (18 mm or less) is recommended. Beautiful portraits can be taken with lenses with a fixed focal length (usually a 50 mm lens provides good results) and large aperture. Don't feel like carrying big bags of photo equipment on your Moremi safari? An 18-200 mm telezoom lens produces beautiful pictures, and pretty much all subjects are within range. Important during your South Africa safari is protecting your valuable equipment: because you will probably also drive on unpaved roads, dust easily gets into your car and may damage your camera. Make sure a quality dust-free bag always protects your camera.

A few words on safari safety

Going on a safari is extremely thrilling and exciting, but comes with a few safety issues.

In game reserves and national parks with big game it is absolutely prohibited to get out of your car, unless accompanied by armed rangers or/and guides. Sadly enough, each and every year there are reports from Southern Africa of travellers ignoring this simple rule, with all its consequences.

In Botswana, a guide in a special safari vehicle usually picks you up from a small airstrip. Once you are in the lodge, listen carefully to the briefing provided by your ranger or accommodation staff. They always know what game is currently roaming in the vicinity of the lodge.

Many lodges are not fenced; wildlife can freely enter the premises and will do so. For this reason it is not allowed to walk unaccompanied around the lodge after sunset. Would you like to go to the main building, restaurant or bar? Just call the reception and they will send someone to escort you from your room.

Game whenever you go

Quick fact

The Moremi is an excellent place to see the African Wild Dog and a vast array of wildlife, including buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, jackal, impala, red lechwe, and nearly 500 species of birds. Game viewing is amazing year-round.

What about the weather?

It's (pretty much) always sunny in Moremi!

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Send your enquiry for Moremi

We hope you have found all information needed to decide that the Moremi Game Reserve is the perfect place for your next travel adventure. Still have questions? Or maybe you would like some more specific information about the different lodges? Please fill in the contact form and we will get back to you soon!